Book excerpt: Can we quickly alter our health care system so that we can discover new medical breakthrough therapies and make them rapidly available to patients? The answer to this critical question is a resounding Yes! Dr. Stephen L. DeFelice has put forthhis creative solution to this critical problem through conferences, talks, articles, books and the efforts of his Foundation for Innovation in Medicine, FIM.His solution has yet to catch on so its tremendous promise remains to be fulfilled. But things may be about to change dramatically. Dr. DeFelices answer seems simple at firstperhaps too simple. Its called Doctornauts, the term he coined to describe physicians who can more easily volunteer for clinical studies than the rest of us. These physician-volunteers can be the subjects in clinical trials that the general public cannot participate in because of legal and ethical concerns. Doctornauts has the potential to help patients all over America--immediately and immensely. This book tells the story of Dr. DeFelice and of his life-long passion, not only to prevent and treat illness, but also, to conquer disease through his innovative approach to increasing medical discovery and improving medical treatment. Perhaps the single most important aspect of the Doctornaut concept becomes evident when it is understood who it will most helpyou!